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edu NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 15, 2013 CONTACT: Rachele Reyes 301-448-5286 racheler@terpmail.umd.edu

University of Marylands professor wants to eliminate testing

Professor Hanson talks of American Societys Addiction to Tests F. Allan Hansons book Testing Testing: Social Consequences of the Examined Life is about American societys addiction to tests recommends eliminating most drug tests, intelligence and aptitude tests, and lie detector or integrity tests. The book uncovers a variety of hidden consequences of tests commonly used in business and education. The American preoccupation with testing has resulted in panoply of techniques dedicated to scanning, probing, weighing, perusing and recording every last detail of our personal traits and life experiences, Hanson says. Because tests provide information about people, they serve as devices of power for agencies to determine whom to employ, to admit to college, to take on as a risk or to arrest. Eliminating tests in the future Hanson recommends eliminating integrity testing and using drug tests only on people suspected of using drugs because employers use drug testing and integrity testing to screen applicants and monitor employees.

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Feature News Release 2 Hanson says to eliminate tests used to predict behavior and aptitudes. For example, some college admissions offices no longer require scores from aptitude tests such as the American College Test and Scholastic Aptitude Test as an application requirement. People are examined and evaluated less for qualifications or knowledge they already possess than for what the test results can predict about future actions or potential behavior, Hanson says. Of all forms of testing, Hanson finds lie detectors the vilest because the test taker is powerless to conceal or control anything, and the test results are often unreliable. Testing in the future The future is likely to produce even more detailed knowledge of each individual as new genetic tests and DNA fingerprinting are developed. Tests that measure performance, such as what a student has learned in class or skills mastered for a job, are useful. Decisions are made about people not on the bases of what they have done, or even what they certainly will do, but in terms of what they might do, Hanson says. To learn more about Hansons book, copies are available at local bookstores or by contacting Denise Cicourel at cicourel@ucpress.com. ###